How successful are kidney-pancreas transplants?

The national average for survival rates of kidney-pancreas transplants in adults is 91% still functioning well one year after the operation, and 75% at five years.

The best results are usually seen with a closely matched kidney from a living donor. However, the success rates are also good for combined kidney-pancreas transplants from deceased donors. The best results are usually seen when both the pancreas and a kidney come from the same deceased donor. This is because the risk of rejection is greatly reduced. However, there have been many transplants performed using a kidney from a living donor, and a pancreas from a deceased donor.

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Kidney Transplant

One of the most common transplant procedures in the United States, kidney transplantation is a treatment option for those with advanced and permanent kidney failure.
The first kidney transplant was performed in the 1950s, and since then doctors have learn much about minimizing the side effects of medications and how to prevent the body from rejecting the new organ.
Healthy kidneys remove wastes and excess fluids from blood, which balances out the chemicals in the blood and keep it clean. When the kidneys fail, the body is unable to remove the harmful wastes and they could damage the body.
Kidney transplantation is not for everyone. Certain conditions make the procedure too dangerous or unlikely to be successful.